Bill

HB 824

84(R) - 2015
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

John Kuempel

Bill Caption

Relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages to customers of a package store during certain hours.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, liquor may not be sold in a package store after 9:00PM.

HB 824 would allow a customer to complete their purchase if they're in a store before 9:00 PM. but have not completed a purchase by that time. Under HB 824 the customer would be allowed a reasonable amount of time after 9:00 PM to finish shopping. 

The statement of purpose on TLO adds helpful background to this issue:

"Interested parties note that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has an informal policy that allows a customer to complete a purchase if the customer is in a store before 9:00 p.m. but has not completed a purchase by that time. These parties have expressed concerns regarding the lack of a statutory mechanism authorizing this type of sale. H.B. 824 amends the applicable law to address this concern."

Vote Recommendation Notes

No changes were made to this legislation in the Senate committee. 

Senate chamber sponsor: Eltife

First chamber analysis: 

The question of whether the state should have laws governing what time of day certain products may be sold is debatable at best. This legislation protects businesses and consumers from potential legal liability for following an informal TABC policy that has no statutory backing. While it may be only a marginal change, this legislation does promote individual liberty and limited government.


Organizations Supporting

Spec'sĀ 
Texas Package Stores AssociationĀ